Chimney Scammers Strike Again!

     The chimney service industry is particularly susceptible to fraud and scamming.  This is largely due to the inaccessibility of most chimneys for homeowners to verify unscrupulous, bogus claims about damage and repair issues.  Add to that the issue of safety -- such as fire and carbon monoxide -- inherent to chimney conditions, and homeowner anxiety is ripe for the picking.
     Two other factors enter in also.  One is the fact that chimney technicians are not required to be licensed by most states, including New Hampshire and Maine, so there is no way to bring errant service providers and fly-by-nighters under the discipline of state law.  On the other hand, the one relevant and substantial credential to demand of any unknown chimney sweep is national certification by CSIA (Chimney Safety Institute of America).  Shysters are not likely to go to the trouble of qualifying for this credential.
     The second additional complicating factor here is the easy availability to scammers of database info that can identify particularly vulnerable members of the population -- namely the elderly -- who for various reasons may be more gullible and prone to being fooled.
     Here is how it works!  In the past two years, and most recently in May of 2012 in the Manchester, NH area, a company named Lysco, with a crew of two men, approaches elderly homeowners and offers a bargain.  "We happen to be in your neighborhood and can offer you a free chimney inspection and a cut rate sweeping (say $60.00 instead of the usual $200.00)."  Sounds like a good deal -- what can we lose?!  As it turns out -- plenty!
     In the last 2 years A Merrie Sweepe has been called to two of our previous customers who got suspicious when Lysco informed them that their stainless steel liners, required for safe and efficient oil burner venting, were damaged or incomplete, with risky deterioration beginning  in the chimney brickwork.  Lysco had brought down to the ground sections of liner that they themselves had corrupted, and then they offered to replace the defective liner with a new one, which they conveniently had on their truck, priced at an exorbitant $2000.00 or more (at least $500.00 over fair and normal costs).
     In both these cases, we confirmed our clients' suspicions and identified the fraud.  The police were called.  Lysco was chased off, often with a legal citation of one sort or another.  As far as we know, however, no significant punishment has been meted out to Lycsco.  The "wheels of justice" are often ponderous and ineffective and the easy rewards of scanning keep Lysco and their ilk coming back again and again.  So beware!  If in doubt, check integrity by demanding CSIA credentials, checking established long-time local sweeps, or consulting local agencies like the BBB, Chamber of Commerce, fire or police departments, or even stove shops.
 

   

Lots of people ask us about why their fireplace smokes -- a complex question, indeed!  Here's a list of possible, contributing reasons:

1. The flue is too small for the size of the fireplace, and all the air rushing in from the big fireplace opening has trouble squeezing through the narrow flue size.
2. The chimney may be too short --
   *  A minimum 15' height is recommended.
   *  The top of the chimney should be at least 2' above any part of the house within 10' -- to avoid    wind induced down drafts!
3. The damper may be too small or not opening properly.
4. The "smoke chamber" dome above the damper is poorly designed and not aerodynamic.
5. The firebox is too shallow, or wood is being placed too far forward.
6. Your house configuration allows for "thermosiphening" of air down the fireplace flue to replace air being lost via other vents or poorly sealed openings, thus counteracting your fireplace draft -- your house may be too tight or conversely too drafty.
7. Wind currents against the house may set up high pressure zones that force air back down the chimney.
8. You may need a raincap to buffer wind currents.
9. Your raincap lid may be too low on the chimney, creating back pressure.
10. Tall trees or other, nearby buildings may divert wind currents, leading to chimney interference.
11. A cold, outside chimney may take a long time to heat up enough to establish adequate draft.
12. Your personal fire building skills may need some improvement on top of everything else!

Long story short, you probably need us to come look at your whole system and, including fire building experimentation, help you isolate and determine the contributing factors -- we're good at this!

 

Example of fireplace smoke stains.  Black soot above fireplace opening.

     Welcome to our blog - a chance to share ideas and info about what's happening in the chimney world.  Our name comes from my wife Merrie with a nod to the time-honored olde English roots to the sweeping tradition.  In 1983, Merrie and I gave up our teaching positions in Rye and Portsmouth for the risky position of small business owners, never mind the field of operations on top of Seacoast roofs! (or the fact that I had all my life been anxious about high places!).
     A $5000 loan bought rods and brushes, a powerful vacuum and some serious ladders, along with a study manual and top hat - all crammed into and on top of my old, beat up 1971 Volvo station wagon.  Then it was off to my brave banker Mel Low's house for the first paid fireplace cleaning engagement.  What's a little soot, along with a duck carcass and an old, antique bottle?!
     That was the beginning, and, as they say, the rest is history.  In future blogs I'll share some of our adventures and some helpful chimney tips.